Carried Up

It crept in slowly & insidiously, consuming my joy as it ate away my options. The stuff of this world had stolen in & before I knew it, I was overtaken by "the giant that is made of shadows." I shut down...closed off. Those who knew me, lightly attributed the cause to this or that; but there were deeper storms raging inside the bubble I had built. I see more clearly now how it was a spiritual battle.
One-on-one time with my Saviour enabled Him to chip away at my bubble & I began to heal. When my ability to carry the burdens of others was restored, I could see how my self-absorption had severed lifelines I may have thrown to those drowning nearby. Though I worshiped & prayed, I was cut off from the suffering around me. In the midst of my own darkness, prayer for others connected me & carried me up, even when I lacked the energy or desire to do so.

The Sword of the Spirit

I believe God has gifted me with an eye to discern His hidden treasures, & each year, I shoot thousands of images which remain unseen. I teach people they have a responsibility to use the gifts they were given, & yet do not heed my own words. I started this blog to share the Works of God's Hands, which I have been blessed with the ability to discern.
No sooner had I started this witness, than I came under attack by neighbors for simply being. I nearly caved to depression, but I hung in there & continued my witness. Dear friends moved away & those who followed threatened my morning prayer & Bible time. I "happened upon" a few minutes of a preacher saying how the very utterance of Jesus' name, let alone the mention of His shed blood, drives Satan & his minions shrieking back into the darkness.
I sat on the bench near the pond, & in desperation prayed aloud, claiming peace to our neighborhood through the shed blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I felt better & began my day. That night, an amazing miracle of healing began within our community! Though unrelated to the above, it was far more encompassing & pervasive. It truly was a miracle that no one could have ever anticipated.
The witness of my blog grew by leaps & bounds when shared through FaceBook & yet another spiritual attack began. This time, I crumpled up & withdrew under it's weight. I continued to be assaulted from seemingly every direction. Gradually, & for the first time in months, I began to feel a sense of hope & a renewed strength. I spoke of this with several people & returned home to find a hostile letter secured to my bush. As the anger grew within me, I began to crumple, once again. These powerful words were placed afresh on my heart: "We do not wrestle with flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this darkness of this present age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
When Jesus was attacked by Satan, He used but one weapon: "The Sword of the Spirit, which is the very Word of God." (Ephesians 6:17). I turned to my Bible & was strengthened. As small as bound text on a page may seem, I held in my hands, the very word of God....the VERY WEAPON JESUS USED!!
"I CAN do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!" (Philipians 4:13)
It's all good !!!!!

Breaking the Surface

Decades ago, my grandmother was resuscitated after a massive heart attack & was, "never the same afterward". She would smile a look of absolute peace & say, "I've seen the pearly gates & I never want to come back here again." Some months or years later, she put on one of her finest dresses, complete with matching shoes, purse & hat. Leaving the door to her apartment ajar, she laid down on the couch & finally went Home.
It is early morning & I see the flash of a small fish shoot across the surface of the water.Chased by a predator called Death, he catches a brief glimpse of another world. Though full of fear, I imagine his delight & awe at the many colors he has never seen before. Fish continue to break the surface all across the lake. I can't help but see the analogy in this as I reflect on the preview my grandmother had of another world.


How do people who don't know Christ cope with death? They see it as a permanent loss not only for themselves, but for the person who has died, & even for the world. For those who know Christ, it is but a temporary loss, but full of hope knowing our loved one is in a place of absolute joy, with no more tears, nor pain, nor suffering. One day, people may believe that I was stolen by Death, but I will have just begun my real life...I won't be simply, "at peace". I will be "in joy!." Selah !

I'm Not Driving !

I feel like I have spent the last months whining & complaining. For that, I am full of regret. I sincerely apologize. In spite of my feelings I have recently been barraged with the question,: "How/why do you remain so positive?". It is a question I have heard often in my life. Years ago, I had a colleague say, "Can't you just for once stop seeing the best in people & let us [complain]!?" This past week, I have been asked several times, why I always remain so optimistic. The most poignant query came a few days ago, from a friend of over 30 years. "Besides your faith, how do you always remain so full of hope?" Ahhh! "Have you known me so long?! It is BECAUSE of my faith that I have hope!"
My faith puts things in perspective. I look at the moon & stars & am in awe of all that God has set into motion...& yet, he is "mindful" of me. (Psalm 8: 3-5). I am His child & heir to His Kingdom.(Romans 8: 14-19). He made all of it & still cares about my every thought & care. He cared so much for me that He sent His only Son to die, so that I could be with Him for all eternity. (John 3:16).
Through experience I honestly trust that my Heavenly Father will work all things for His purpose. As I told her, "I'm not driving!".

Perhaps......

Sometimes I avoid something due to an anticipated, negative outcome...only to find myself in the midst of the conflict I had imagined. Suppose God has allowed things to unfold in order to give me new eyes. Despite my attempts to the contrary, perhaps He even led me there to alter my my faith, or my beliefs about a situation, or even about people. Perhaps.....
(Who said being a Christian is an easy out?)

A Tale of Two Turtles

A few months ago, our neighbor found a tiny turtle & gave it to my son, London. "Cody" has since become a beloved member of our menagerie. London even takes him outside to play in a fashioned "hotel" & pool.


Later, I found the friendliest box turtle I have ever come across. "Crush" was given his name as his markings reminded London of orange soda. He stayed in one of our hotel tanks for a few days, feasting on a variety of fruits & insects. One afternoon, we returned him to his forest home. I watched him until he tucked himself away, next to & under some wood.


That evening, neighbors stopped by & the kids played with Cody. The adult topic was self-control. Deb shared that her family uses Eph. 5:18a ("Do not become drunk with wine...") to extend to other traits that Paul advised against, such as boasting, gossip, jealousy, love of money & anger. The notion of being "drunk with anger", etc. fascinated us. Arguing children interrupted us. Oh well, time to head in for the night, anyway.....
Preparing for bed, I shared with London our adult conversation, specifically how anger can take control of us. He really seemed to be putting things together when he abruptly cried out in horror. Cody had been left outside, forgotten in a moment of anger! Flashlights were of no avail in our search. London was terrified for Cody. What a perfect example of the topic, but this was NOT the time to point that out. We prayed for Cody's safety & for London's (self-)forgiveness. We prayed that Cody would find a safe, new home, near water....or, that if it was God's will, we would find him.


The next morning, I went out back just in time to see Crush venturing forth. I said a prayer for his safety & headed out front. Tucked away, next to some mulch, my eyes fell on tee-tiny Cody! It was a miracle in itself that my eyes fell that direction.


Rarely are lessons demonstrated in such a timely & dramatic way. London & I immediately said a prayer of thanks & praise. We discussed anger, self-control & how AWESOME God is.
When Jesus was tempted, (Matt 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13), He used scripture to fight off satan. Paul instructed us to, "Put on the whole armor of God..." (Eph 6:13), which includes, "...the sword of the Spirit, which is the very Word of God" (vs. 17b). Anger & lack of self-control caused Cody to be left out. The Bible is clear that those are both tools of the adversary. Paul instructs us to arm ourselves by reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God, so that will be prepared against the wiles of evil.


A few days later, another fellow joined us...a young, but strangely gentle baby snapper.


(This happened a couple of weeks ago. The other day, we spied Crush meandering around one of our garden oaks).

The Testing of Faith

There have been times in my life where I have felt like a target, attacked from every angle. Things that were going great one day feel utterly in ruins the next. Ways of life I have enjoyed seem to suddenly dissolve. People I have always counted on, temporarily fade away into their own concerns.I find myself inwardly asking, "Why am I being targeted?"


Immediately, the answer settles over my entire spirit: it is because I have asked Jesus to be Lord of my life, to guide my steps and direct my paths. I have asked for His help and that makes me a target.


In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, "...we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now, hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us...God demonstrates His own love toward us, that while we were yet sinners [imperfect], Christ died for us." (Romans 5:3b-5&8)


James wrote, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (endurance). Let patience have it's perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)

"..Much will Be Required..." *

In the time of Jesus, Roman law was final. When a Roman centurion was walking and came upon a non-Roman citizen, he could force a non-Roman to drop what he was doing and carry his load for one mile. What a tremendous burden and inconvenience !!! After having accomplished my work, I have been instructed to carry out the tasks assigned to others. It is frustrating, to say the least, infuriating at most. Not given to anger, I first sought the words of scripture for counsel.

In Matthew 5:41 Jesus said, "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two". Is the Bible an outdated manuscript without relevance in the modern world? I would say this example puts an end to that argument.

* see Luke 12:48

Trust in Times of Need

Wherever HAS the time gone? As I grow older, it seems to pass so quickly, I find that makes it easier to ride out the tougher times...

In my experience, those who live on the economic edge, in faith, have the closest relationship with Christ. Hardships can bring deeper faith and closer relationship with our Lord. The more we need to trust in God, and do so, the more His presence and actions are manifest in our lives. Those of faith in Christ who have the greatest hardships, often have the greatest peace in their lives. How can this be? When our back is to the wall, or we are at our rock-bottom, it is easier to admit our need for salvation. Being in relationship with Christ, gives rise to greater trust, richer hope and yes, deeper peace.

So many people are losing their jobs these days. Several dear friends I know are wondering how they will survive. Knowing they strive to be like Christ, I tell them, "Watch out! You are in for some miracles!" We are often brought right up to the very place of panic...keep trusting....once, we received a check from an unclaimed life insurance policy the day before our mortgage was due. A friend told her children there would be no Christmas. Unknowingly, another friend asked if "they" could provide Christmas for that very family....The tales are endless and all demonstrate God's amazing love for His kids! Just as we can trust in the faithful change of seasons, we can trust in His caring for us in our time of need.

As I look behind my home, I see constant miracles. The words Jesus' spoke on how our Heavenly Father cares for us come to mind:
" Now, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is gone, will He not much more clothe you...?
"Therefore do not worry...For your Heavenly Father knows you have need of these things.
"But seek first, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's own things, sufficient for the day is it's own trouble" [NKJV)] (See Matt 6: 5-34)